When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 3



Only Krnovel

#03. Her Value
2024.01.03.

“It’s disappointing that you want that after going through all that hardship at the art academy. There may be some who do it for impure sponsorship like you, but most people do it because they love ballet. Don’t insult this place with your narrow-minded values.”

A chilling silence descended. Emilia looked at Professor Alice, who had a stiff face, and Bella, who was chewing her lower lip with a bright red face. Soon, everyone lowered their heads with solemn faces.

“This is the day we’ve prepared for for a long time. Don’t forget the efforts you’ve made.”

“Yes… … .”

“It was 10 minutes ago. Everyone, stand by. And Emilia, Masante.”

Everyone slowly moved to the waiting area, keeping an eye on the situation. Professor Alice, who was looking around at them, gestured in the air as if to tell them to come closer.

“You are the main characters who have to lead this play. Are you ready?”

Emilia, standing in front of Professor Alice next to Masante, nodded slightly.

“Yes.”

“Yes. You know this is a better opportunity for the two of you than anyone else, right? The Avaliante Ballet will be watching you closely. It’s good to go abroad and audition, but this ballet company will give you the special privilege of being a regular member right away, so take advantage of this opportunity.”

At Professor Alice’s whisper, the two’s expressions changed dramatically for a split second. The faces of those who had hoped and those who had given up, the stark difference passed by briefly as if being carried away by the wind.

Soon, the two nodded once and turned around to go to their seats. Professor Alice’s hand, which was trying to grab Emilia with a puzzled look, stopped at the sound of the orchestra that began to fill the concert hall.

The curtain finally rose on the stage.

***

[La Sylphide]

It could be called a simple fairy tale, but a love that blinds you for a moment could be said to be more dreamlike than meeting a fairy.

But the object of that dream was a beautiful fairy. Even if it was a ridiculous story, the sweet story that made us forget reality for a moment was enough to make the audience fall in love.

Even though the male protagonist lost everything and the fairy’s wings stopped flapping because of his greed.

Until the sad ending, the fairy on stage danced lovingly, captivating not only the male protagonist but also the audience.

Just looking at her lightly moving feet and delicate fingertips that made us feel anxious seemed to bring about a spring breeze, and she was beautiful enough to make us forget the harsh snow wind of reality.

The audience smiled along with Emilia, who smiled happily as if she had become a real fairy, and they shed tears as they watched Emilia collapse in pain.

“Bravo!”

Of course, the performance was a success. The audience’s endless requests for encores and enthusiastic applause filled the concert hall for a long time.

To the point that Emilia, who was sitting alone in her room, could still hear the cheers.

“… … Why is it so easy?”

Emilia’s eyes were empty as she returned to the dormitory alone, which was quiet, while everyone else had gone to the after-party. However, her hands, fiddling with the tutu on her lap, were extremely sad. It

already felt like a dream that this skirt was fluttering on stage. Maybe it was because it was a large dome concert hall, different from the small-scale performances she had been doing, but today, her heart was especially pounding and excited as if it were going to burst.

The shining gestures under the chandelier, the orchestra sound that seemed to burst her insides, and the eyes of many people who seemed to be looking up at her in rapture. At that moment, she felt as if she was alive and breathing.

The snow falling softly outside the window continued to pile up as if covering her memories. Emilia fluttered her eyelashes for a moment as the cold enveloped her skin, as if telling her to wake up from her dream and face reality.

“Enough… … Let’s go.”

If not now, there would never be a chance to escape.

Giorgio tried to take Emilia away as soon as the performance ended, but fortunately, he had his servant tell him to come to the house as soon as the after-party was over after seeing her being congratulated by the crowd.

Perhaps being recognized by many people was seen as a way to increase her value. That must be why that vile person simply went back first.

Although he secretly asked Giuliana to help him get out, it was difficult to pack quickly once he arrived at the dormitory. He couldn’t take everything with him, but he couldn’t help but feel slowed down every time he touched an item in order to take even a little bit of memory with him.

Emilia slowly looked around the room one last time. Normally, she would have left lightly, looking forward to a new beginning, but now her heart was heavy.

“… … Let’s really go.”

Emilia muttered softly and stepped forward. Her legs, which had been moving slowly, gradually became faster.

Soon, the large door opened and a cool breeze hit her cheek. Emilia pulled her scarf up to the tip of her nose, feeling like the blizzard would get worse if she delayed any longer, and strode briskly towards the back gate of the art academy.

Although I could catch a street carriage waiting if I went out the main gate, I chose to go back because the count might have been watching me.

Unlike the theater street that was dazzlingly lit up as if it were the end of the year, the surroundings were dark and filled with only the sound of the wind. Emilia, who walked down the quiet night road relying only on a small lamp, was just indifferent. Her emerald eyes, as if her emotions had died, blinked slowly.

‘Will I be able to get an ID? Even if I hide well until the new year, I’m sure the government office will be waiting for me… … Or would it be better to just take a boat and go to another country? I’ll hold out for a while as an illegal resident and then buy my ID… … But will I be able to do it with the money I’ve saved?’

Perhaps because the cold wind made her come to her senses, her mind became complicated later. White breath leaked out from between her lips that were gradually losing color.

“… …!”

At that moment, the sound of crunching snow could be heard from afar. Emilia’s eyes narrowed. Watching the faint light getting closer and growing bigger, her hesitant steps stopped, and conflict appeared on her face.

Should she just stay still or turn around and run away? Her heart pounded loudly as if it would burst at the sound of the approaching figure.

“Lady Este.”

However, before she could make a choice, the other person called out to her and approached her.

“Would you mind spending a moment?”

Emilia’s eyes opened wide. An unexpected person invited her.

“Duke Michele is waiting.” He

politely pointed to the carriage parked in the distance.

***

Enrico watched Emilia as she entered the carriage. Her actions as she cautiously sat down across from him were incredibly slow.

Enrico, who had been quietly watching her hesitate with every step she took, tilted his head slightly.

“… … I’m here to meet Duke Michele.”

Emilia’s face was shadowed by the small lights hanging from the ceiling. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose, red from the cold, were briefly revealed. And even her trembling lips.

Enrico’s gaze briefly touched Emilia’s two hands, which were gathered in front of her stomach. Her hands, which were trembling just like her lips, were clearly visible.

“Sit down. I don’t particularly like looking up.”

“Ah… … Excuse me.”

Her face looked calmer than expected. However, unlike her calm expression and voice that seemed unperturbed, her hands, which sat down on the opposite seat as if slightly staggering, were still trembling slightly. He could see her two hands on her knees clasping each other as if praying to God.

Enrico’s eyelids languidly lowered. Her eyes, which slowly rose, revealed amethyst-like pupils. A strange feeling flashed through her eyes, which did not feel a single bit of warmth.

‘It’s like a detailed painting.’

Emilia Este’s small face, seen up close, was perfectly symmetrical with delicate features.

Her large, jade-colored eyes, which seemed to contain the blue sea, and her proportional lips, which looked like red rose petals attached to each other, contrasted so well with her pure white face that it seemed difficult to express them even in a picture. Enrico

’s eyes, which had been staring at her aesthetic appearance as if appreciating a piece of art, naturally slid down. Her

long neckline was covered with a burnu coat, so it was not visible, but her body line that was revealed when she danced had a very elegant curve. Her

slender shoulders, straight collarbone, thin waist, and thin ankles. Everything looked slender, but unlike what was seen, her body was firm and she knew how to move powerfully.

Her figure, leaping high as if she was shedding intense light and flapping her wings like a butterfly, felt like a midsummer night’s dream.

Nothing that breathed gave him particular satisfaction, but it seemed valuable enough to bring him here.

But that was all. A woman who didn’t dance was not completely satisfying.

Enrico leaned back, one leg resting on the other. His downcast eyes glowed arrogantly.

‘Isn’t it worth as much as it is on stage?’